Explosive projectile



' May 18, 1937. s. LEBENSA T' A EXPLOS IVE YROJ ECT [LE Filed Jan. 4, 1955 b xga le a 951a} Patented May 18, 1937 EXPLOSIVE PROJECTILE Saiamon Lebensart, Vienna, Austria Application January 4, 1933, Serial No. 650,161 In Austria January 0, 1032 34 Claims. ((1102-29) The invention refers to explosive projectiles or shells with percussion fuses, particularly with .so-called direct" acting percussion fuses, in

, which, when the shell strikes, the ignition organs are actuated by forces of inertia and not by the force of a spring, and the invention is par- I ticularly suitable for shells which are'thrown by hand, or in some other primitive way as, for example, from the barrel of a throwing device the barrel of which is not provided with Titling.

I'br seeming the fuse during storage," transport and throwing, shells are often provided with a safety pin device, the safety pin of which proiects from the shell through at least one external openingto the outside, The invention particularly concerns this type of safety device. With this safety device it is very important to provide for a reliable withdrawing movement of the safety pin, particularly when this is to take place during the flight of the shell and'to give particular attention to the proper sealing of the exit openings of the said pin. The invention does this in a particularly advantageous manner.

The elements, namely, the shell, the fuse chamber, the fuse movably mounted in the fuse chamher and the safety pin, if this is provided, have hitherto been built in such relative positions which were either co-axial, parallel-axial, or perpendicular to one another. With the shell according to this invention, however, by using a fuse which can assume positions in the fuse chamber either in axial direction or parallel to the axis, or even in slanting direction, at least two' of the elements mentioned, or at least two of their axes, are in slanting relative positions (thus not in co -axial, parallel, -or perpendicular relative positions) whenthe shell is ready for use,

or even also when ready for throwing or'in flight.

When the shell has been made ready for throwin'g, ,according to the invention the said oblique or diagonal position may either remain, or may be changed into a parallel or perpendicular relative position of the elements mentioned (so far:

If, during the projection of the shell, the safety pin device is held externally in the safety position, it then forms an external projection safety device. It may accidentally happen, however, that this external" projection safety device becomes released during the actual projection. The fuse, particularly a direct" percussion fuse, may then cause a premature explosion during the actual projection due to the forces of inertia set up by the projection itself. In order to avoid this defect, according to the invention, in additages also by providing a special "centrifugal force safety device, 1. e., a safety device which holds the fuse in the safety positionshould centrifugal forces occur which are too great and which could cause ignition. In addition, according to the invention, with the same object, against the ignition movement supplementary mechanical, preferably spring or elastic resistances are inserted, the said resistances being of such a; magnitude that even the greatest centrifugal force which could occur in practice cannot cause ignition, even when the ignition of the fuse parts has I already been released. These two latter provi-- sions' ensure in generalthat, not only is danger vfrm n'the centrifugal force overcome, but in fact all dynamic forces acting in a direction to cause ignition, and which are so large that they might lead to an explosion, become harmless.

The invention is shown diagrammatically in the drawing and, for example, as applied to a hand grenade having a "direct" percussion fuse, which is secured by a pin-like element passing through the fuse.

All the flgures show diagrammatically lon tudinal cross-sections, the relative functio g positions of the fuse parts being shown 'in Fig. 1

during transport, in Fig. 2 during flight, in Fig. 3

after the ignition elements have finished their ignition movement, and in Fig. 4 in the case where the centrifugal force safety device", or the "internal projection safety device, provided according to the invention, has not been released,

ing, Z the fuse casing attached to X by screw threads, for example, M the fusechamberhaving concave upper and lower guiding surfaces Z1 and Z: for a direct percussion fuse P, the guiding surface Z1 forming at the-same time the cover of the fuse casing Z.

-A and B are the two of the fuse P which carry the ignition means a and b, the inner part A and the outer B also acting as inertia masses which cause ignition in any direction of impact by subjecting the said parts A and B to a telescopic displacement relative to each other thereby approaching the ignition meansa and b to each other.

V0 is a spring ring. capable ,of'performing a rolling movement and containing advantageously.

one or more rigid parts. -The said spring ring constantly tends to shrink together to a smaller diameter and forms, at the same time, both the safety devices according to the, invention, namely the internal projection safety device and the "centrifugal force safetydevice", as well as fulfilling, in accordance with the invention, still other functions as will be described.

The fuse P, having its axis on the line 10-2, of Fig. '1, is mounted obliquely or diagonally in the fuse chamber M and the shell '1', respectively.

The fuse is held in the "safe" position by the pin E which passes diagonally through it and the shell, the said pin E preferably constituting a cotter pin which crosses and boresor passes through the entire fuse P and does not simply lie between the fuse partsA and'B, the cotter or spring effect of thesaid pin E increasing the safety to be attained. The cotter E passes out from the fuse chamber M and the shell T through the opening R provided in the cover Z1. I

The exit opening R is sealed by a sealing ring F. A spring H acts on a plate I carried on-the cotter E, and tends to move the cotter E outwards. With the method of rsupport thus provided at one end, or at one point, the cotter E can swingin the opening R about the point of support, and the fuse P can also move with it so far as it has play in the fuse chamber M.

This movement will be somewhat limited at the' tenpin E makes it possible, even with an axial fuse chamber M, to provide the exit opening R. on the cover Z1 of the said fuse chamber M, and to there arrange sealing and safety devices. Otherwise the exit opening with an axial fuse and axial fuse chamber ultimately will lie on the side wall of the fuse or shell where there is a lack of space for arranging this device, where centrifugal forces often have an unfavourable direction relative to the direction of forces actihg to automatically release the safety device, and where the safety lever K cannot easily be arranged to give equally good effect, and where an equally good sealing cannot be attained. These advant ges could certainly be partly obtained by arra 'ing, in a known manner, the" fuse chamber, .together with the fuse, perpendicular to the axis of the shell and arranging the safety pin device directly axially, but the transmission of the fire from the fuse to the explosive filling the shell T would thenbe unsatisfactory, parabout its pivot K is made possible.

'immediately, as far as the ticularly'in the case of fuses in which the free path of the inertia masses A, B is great as will be explained.

1 The lever K which is firmly held (but releasable) against the shell by suitable means, for example, a wire S shown diagrammatically, when in its initial position as shown in Fig. l opposes the action of the spring H, which acts on the lever K in thedirection of release. In addition, the lever K transmits its pressure to the sealing ring F with 'a powerful leverage and this results in a good sealing. The wire clip S gives the shell the necessary safety in transport. The shell only becomes ready for throwing when, by releasing the clip S, the rotation of the lever K The cotter pin E can then move outwards during flight, that is when the shell T or lever K is released from the hand holding it or from the gun barrel.

In the constructional example shown both the cotter pin E and the lever K are moved outwards not only by the spring H but also by centrifugal or other inertia forces. The action of the centrifugal force is made more favourable' -by the cotter pin moving outwards in a direction in which, in the flying shell, there is always a componentof the centrifugal force acting enerally axially or perpendicularly to the axisof the shell.

' -The spring ring C forms the safety element and provides at the same time the spring action for the internal projection safety device and for the "centrifugal forcesafety device, owing to its being placed between the surfaces A1 and B1 of the fuse parts A and B, thereby preventing the ignition movement when it is in the position shown'in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, thus securing the fuse. Owing toits arrangement it tends to move out of this position one, cone All, but is at first prevented from this by the cotter pin E (Fig. 1),- which itself passes through both fuse parts A and B, thereby holding these two fuse parts as 1 well as the spring ring C in the position shown in Fig. 1 If this cotter pin E which forms the inwardly projecting positive safety organ fof the external safety device, falls out, the spring ring C then moves, owing to itsown force; generally flying position shown in Fig. 2, whereby it comes to rest on a cone A; or A4 or between these two, and then assumes the action of a repulsion spring. As can be seen from the drawing, the guides controlling the movement of. the rolling spring ,ring are formed in several sections. According to the example shown on the drawing the three cones are made with various degrees of angularity, namely, the cone Ar, which is intended for the initial position of the spring ring C (and-there fore has the greatest 'dia'mete'nfis made theflattest, the cone A4 (which-has thejsmallest diameter) is made the steepest,'andjthe'cone A:

(which is inserted between them) hasa medium I steepness. The transitionfronr one-conetothe small steps.

The handling and working shown is as follows:-;-

. During storage and transportth I p I nade carries the safety device or clip 8 Fig, ,1). Before projection or throwing, the safetyg-device other may be suitably made through one ormo re the grenade S is released. After this ,safety device 8 has been released, the lever K'must be heldvby the hand or the gun barrel'in the position shown in Fig. l, and thereby the positively acting "internal s fety pin E of the externar'projection safety de ce is held in its safety position. At the and grecommencement of flight the external projection safety device K and E is released and the cotter pin E leaves the fuse chamber M. If the projectile takes its normal course the spring ring C goes intoits flying position as shown in Fig.1, and the fuse which, as shown in Fig. 1, was inserted in a diagonal initial position, thereby, under the action of the spring ring C or of the centrifugal force in the tumbling or rotating shell, leaves its slanting initial position thus taking up a position which with reference to the ignition chamber M is more axially directed (Fig. 2). In

this way the disadvantage of the fuse becoming fixed in the position in which it is originally inserted (and for this reason functioning incorrec'tly) is overcome, which disadvantage is otherduring an acceleration or delay period, for example, out of proper order during projection, the

\ inertia forces of the parts A and B caused by the projection, act in opposition to the force of the spring ring C in the position shown in Fig. 4, and

and thereby prevent the release of the fuse. 0wing to the parts A and B being mounted between concave surfaces Z1 and Z2, this effect occurs in.

every direction of the accelerating -force. Conse quently, even if the external" projection safety device K and E is accidentally released during projection, the fuse is still further protected by the "internal projection safety device C and is only released (to enable ignition) during actual flight and not during projection. In addition, owing to the special automatic "internal" projection safety device C, thecomplete release of the fuse can only take place after the completion of the acceleration period, 1. e, during the free flight, even 11' the release of the externa projection safety device should have been completed earlier,

that is, during the, acceleration period.

As can be seen from Fig. 1, the. "internal projection safety devic C is necessarily or.posi-- tively held in .its safety position. by the "uterus;

projection safety device K and E both during projection and also during transport.

The spring ring C also'forms, in its position shown in Fig. 4, a centrifugal force safety device. If, for instance, the external projection safety device Kand E is released during flight and thus releases the action of the spring ring C, as

.well as the free play of the centrifugal force, the

spring ring C does not leave its safety position (Fig. 4) if the centrifugal force is so great that it could cause ignition in the flying position of the fuse parts (Fig. 2) In such a case the centrifugal force, acting against the spring ring C, prevents it from leaving the position of Fig; 4, in which the spring ring C actually forms the safety element, as it prevents a telescopic relative displacement of the parts A and B sufflcient to cause ignition, that is, it prevents the needle a from penetrating into the fuse cap I). With the construction of the grenade shown in the drawing, or with the arrangement of the fuse P in the fuse chamber M as shown the centrifugal force acts quiteindependently of whatever axis the grenade is rotating or tumbling ab ut, and thus independently of how thecentrifugal force is directed relative to the axis of the shell. Accordingly the centrifugal force acts constantly so that, on the one side, the two fuse parts A and B, as well as the ignition means a and I: tend to move towards one another in the direction necessaryto provoke igni-.

tion, or are forced against one another, and that, v

on the other side, the spring ring C is hindered in On impact, for instance with the target or generally the ground, the fuse, which has been released as shown in Fig. 2, takes up the position shown in Fig. 3, in which the striking pin a has penetrated the percussion cap I) and, owing to the universally movable guiding of the fuse parts A and B carrying the ignition means a and b be-' tween conical surfaces Z1 and Z2. movement occurs with any relative strildng direction of the grenade. parts A and B carrying the ignition means, that is the-path through which these parts A and B must pass in order to bring the tip of the pin a into contact with thesurface of the percussion cap b, is abnormally large, i. e. a minimum of 4.5

order to ensure certain ignition, and thus high sensitivity, also when striking on soft ground, for example, long grass or snow. The diagonal arrangement described is particularly suitable for the application of such an advantageous, abnormally great free' path.

The invention is particularly suitable for grenades having direct percussion fuses, as

shown in the drawing, because then the inertia of centrifugal force safety device" (according to the invention at least 'one of these) doesnot come in'the safety position but during the working of the fuse is initially built in the said actual and positive safety position so that the said projection safety devices also protect the grenade during transport etc.

The invention may also be carried out in amanner'which varies in many ways from the constructional example shown in the drawing:

The cotter pin E, for example, may be positively connected with the lever K in any manner desired, for instance, by wire or chain, and either firmly or loosely. A spiral spring for tension and pressure may be arranged, for example, be-

i tween the plate I of ihe cotter pn E and the lever K, whose ends are firmly connected to the pin plate I and the lever K, respectively. When the safety device S has been released this spring placed under tension under the influence of the lever K, and in its outward movement takes the This ignition Thefree path of the ;mm. but preferably not more than 15 mm., in

cotter pin E with it. The "connection spring",-

which is not shown in the drawing may also form a part of the "releasing spring" H, correspondingly projecting above the plate I.

Apart from the safety devices shown, the fuse may, for example, also contain in addition suitable locking devices, which, for instance, render the fuse harmless in the case of a misfire or accidental dropping, such as are described, for example; in the applicant's earlier U.'S. Patents No. 1,709,798 and No. 1,769,848 in connection with a spring'ring C and two telescopic fuse member carriers A and B.

' may be held in its safety p In the construction shown on the drawing the external? safety device K and E achieves the desired object to give safety during throwing or projection in itself, without a separate internal? safety device C, and conversely the internal" projection safety device C could also be constructed in such way (for example in accordance with the previously mentioned earlier patents) as to achieve L the object of giving complete safety during projection 'in itself,.i. e. even in the case when the lever K of the extemal" safety device way that the axis of the fuse chamber is diagonal to the axis of the shell.

The diagonal arrangement of the cotter pin E may also be used when the fuse P is built in axi-' ally, but by having the fuse built in diagonally also, the diagonal arrangement of the cotter pin Eis simplified from the point of view of constructherein, a universally adjustable fuse in said tion. 1

In order to have the exit opening R on the cover Z1 of the fusecasing, the cotter pin E can,

- if required, be made somewhat bent, which may also be advantageous for releasing the safety device. I

By the word "cone", mentioned hereinjis not only meant a geometrically accurate section of ;a cone, but one in which the cone may run more or less concave or convex. Grooves may be provided if required between the cones or at chamber having ignition and inertia means, a

safety device in said chamber for preventing ignition during throwing or projecting, and means associated with the casing and the fuse to maintain the fuse inan oblique initial position in the chamber before throwing or projecting.

2. An explosive projectile, particularly a hand grenade-according to claim 1, in which the means associated with the casing includes a safety pin mounted obliquely through the 1153;

3. An explosive projectile, particularly a hand grenade, according to claim 1, in which the means associatedwith ,the casing includes a cotter pin mounted obliquely through the fuse.

the cotter pin E 4. An explosive projectile, particularly a hand grenade, comprising a casing having a chamber therein, a universally. adjustable fuse in said chamber having ignition and inertia means, a

safety pin mounted obliquelythrough the fuse'to maintain the fuse in inoperative position in the chamber, said pin being held by'the casing in a flexible swingable position, and means to maintain the pin in the chamber and the fuse until the projectile is thrown or projected when the pin is released to permit the fuse to adjust itself and to ignite the projectile on impact by the forces of inertia acting on the inertia means.

5. An explosive projectile, particularly a hand grenade, according to claim 4, in which the pinis swingably mounted within desired elastic limits.

6. An explosive. projectile, particularly a hand grenade, according to claim 4, in which the means to maintain the pin in the chamber and fuse includes a lever pivotally mounted on the casing.

7. An explosive projectile, particularly a hand grenade, according to claim 4, in which the means to maintain the pin in the chamber and fuse consists of a lever pivotally mounted on the casing and a removable spring clip to maintain the lever in position to hold the pin in place said spring clip wholly encircling said casing to enable its release at any point of the circumference of the casing.

8. An explosive projectile, particularly a= hand grenade, according to claim 4, in which the means to maintain the ,pin' in the chamber and the fuse includes a lever pivotally mounted on the 1 casing and contacting with the pin, and in which a compression spring is mounted around the pin between the casing and'the en of the pin which contacts-with the lever so t at the spring will force the pin out of the fuse when the lever is released.

9. An explosive projectile, particularly a hand grenade, comprising a casing having a chamber chamber having ignition and inertia means, a safety pin mounted into the casing and through the fuse to maintain the fuse in an oblique initial position in said chamber before throwing or projecting, a lever pivotally mounted on the casing to maintain the pin in position in the chamber. and the fuse, and means on the. pin to force thepln'out of the fuse upon release of the lever when the projectile isthrown'or projected so that .the-

fuse may adjust itself during flight to be pre-. paredon impact of the projectile to ignite the on the pin includes a spring pressing against the casing and the end of the pin, and in which a sealing ring is provided around the pin and around which the spring is provided to seal the -opening in the casing for the .pin;

12. An explosive projectile, particularly a hand grenade, comprising a casing having a chamber therein, a fuse in said chamber having ignition and inertia means, a safety pin mounted diagonally into the casing and through the fuse to maintain the fuse in inoperative position in the chamber, a safety device mounted externally of the casing to maintain the pin in place within the casing and fuse, and an internal safety device inertia means to operate on impact.

13. An explosive projectile according to claim 12, in which the internal safety device is in the form of a circular spring.

14. An explosive projectile. particularly a hand grenade,-comprising a casing having a chamber therein; a fuse in said chamber comprising inner and outer parts, the inner part being movable in the outer part,'ignition means provided in the outer part, and means on the casing cooperating with the two parts to force them into a position to fire the fuse on impact of the projectile; and means for maintaining the fuse in the said chamber in an oblique inoperative position until the projectile is thrown or projected.

15. An explosive projectile, particularly a hand grenade, according to claim 14, in which the lastnamed means comprises a circular spring surrounding the inner part, the said circular spring being mounted in its initial position directly onto the said inner part and between the'two parts and. the force of said circular spring acting against the direction of the firing movement of said two parts.

16. An explosive projectile, particularly a hand grenade, according to claim 14, in which the inner part is provided with a plurality of coneshaped surfaces, and in; which the means on the inner part is in the form of a circular spring surrounding the inner part and contacting with the cone-shaped surfaces.

17. An explosive projectile, particularly a hand grenade, according to claim 14, inwhich the lastnamed means comprises a safety pin arranged diagonally into and through the easing, into the chamber and extending through the two partsof the fuse to hold said parts in inoperative position. v v

18. An explosive projectile, particularly a hand grenade, according to claim 14, in which the lastnamed means comprises a safety pin arranged diagonally into andthrough the casing, into the chamber and extending through the two parts of the fuse to hold said parts in inoperative position, and in which a lever is pivotally mounted on the casing to hold the safety pin in'position.

19. An explosive projectile, particularly a hand grenade, according to claim 14, inwhich the casing part which forms the chamber has two oppositely disposed upper and lower guiding surfaces forthe fuse; I

20. An explosive projectile, particularly a hand grenade, according to claim 14, in-which the inner part carries a firing pin so that upon impact of the projectile the inner part will be forced into the outer part whereby the pin will enter the ignitionm'eans to fire the projectile.

'21. An explosive projectile, particularly a hand grenade, according, to claim 14, in which the inner part has a cone-shaped surface, and-in which the means on the inner part is in the form of a circular spring surrounding the inner part onthe cone-shaped surface, and due to the cone shape the spring will force and maintain the two parts inoperative during flight until the projectile strikes an object.

' 22. An explosive projectilejparticularly-a hand grenade, according to claim 14, in which the innot part has three cone-shaped surfaces of different angularity, and in which the means on the inner part is in the formof a circular 'spring surrounding the inner part on the surfaces, and

due to'the cone-shaped surfaces onwhich the spring slides the spring will force and maintain the two parts inoperative during flight until the projectile strikes an object.

23. explosive projectile, particularly a hand grenade, comprising a casing having a chamber therein, a universally adjustable fuse in said chamber having ignition and inertia means, a safety device in said chamber for preventing ignition during throwing or projecting, and a safety pin mounted obliquely through the fuse to maintain it in an inoperative position in the said chamber before throwing or projecting.

24. An explosive projectile according to claim 1, in which a spring is provided within the said chamber associated with the fuse and tending to adjust the said fuse from its initial oblique posi-' tion into a co-axial position with the said chamber after the said safety device is released.

. 25. An explosive projectile according to claim 1, in which a spring is provided within the said chamber associated with the fuse and tendin to adjust the said fuse from its initial oblique position into a co-axial position with the said chamber after the said safety device is released and in which the said spring is inserted into the fuse to constitute a safety means preventing ignition before and during throwing or projecting.

26. An explosive projectile according to claim 1, in which a spring is provided within the said chamber associated with the fuse and tending to adjust the said fuse from its initial oblique position into a co-axial position with the said chamber after the said safety device is released, and said spring also constituting a centrifugal force safety device which opposes the action of the spring to prevent explosion of the projectile 1,111 which a spring is provided within the said X chamberassociated with the fuse and tendin to adjust the said fuse from its initial obliquepofltion into a co-axial position with the said chamber after the said safety device is released, r

and in which a member is provided as, a part of" the fuse which has a cone-shaped section cooperatingwith the spring. J

29. An explosive projectile, particularly a hand grenade, comprisinga easing, a fuse in said casing comprising two cooperating parts and having ignition means, sad cooperating parts and ignition means being arranged within the said casing so that supon rotation or tumbling of the projectile during free flight tend to pro-' voke the ignition movement of said parts and ignition means, safety means to prevent ignition during projectingor throwing, and a centrifugal force safety device cooperating with the two parts of the fuse toprevent premature ignition of the ignition means under the action of said rotation or tumbling of theprojectile.

' 30. An explosive projectile according to claim 29, in which the two cooperating parts are telescopically arranged relative toeach other.

31. An explosive projectile according to claim 29, in which the twocooperating parts are telescopically arranged relative to each other, and

l in the safety device is arranged between the two telescoping parts.

32. An explosiveprojectile according to claim 29, in which the safety device is in the form of a coiled spring ring.

33. An explosive projectile, particularly a hand grenade according to claim 29; in which the Y same safety means is common. to the said safety device which prevents ignition during projecting or throwing and to the said centrifugal force safety device.

34. An explosive projectile, particularly a hand grenade according to claim 29, in which the said safety means preventing ignition during projecting or throwing comprises at least two safety members releasing the said cooperating fuse parts in series one after the other and the safety member of said centrifugal force safety device is common to the safety member preventing ignition during projecting or throwing and finally releasing in the said series.

SALAMON LEBENSART. 

